Arsenal can’t make same Martin Odegaard mistake

It would require a TED Talk to fully explain each detail that went wrong in the defeat to Brighton. Almost every tactical tweak fell flat on its face, and very few players in the team produced anywhere close to their best.

Martin Odegaard was one of them.

Just as the team was largely set up to fail from the get-go, Odegaard’s role contributed to a lifeless performance in a stadium that hasn’t produced many of those this season.

Setting up in what appeared to be a continuation of the 4-3-3 that had been in place prior to Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey’s injuries, there were differences that on paper appeared subtle, but in practice were not.

Arsenal can’t make same Martin Odegaard mistake with Norwegian’s position against Brighton seeing him lose creativity and pressing intensity

Well discussed is how Granit Xhaka at left-back voids the midfield of solidity and brings sluggishness in build-up. While his selection in that position was the most detrimental to the team on the whole, how Odegaard was used wasn’t far off.

Sambi is still learning his trade. Operating as the deepest midfielder in this system is an incredibly tough ask, one that took a 28-year-old Champions League-experienced Partey many months to master. Therefore, while he was mainly on his own, Odegaard was more reserved than usual.

Having a left-sided No. 8 who lacks the defensive discipline in Emile Smith Rowe resulted in the Norwegian being stand-offish in how aggressive he was. The pressing in this game, especially in the first half, was being carried out by a combination of Lacazette, Saka and Martinelli to varying degrees of success.

On the whole, however, it was poorly executed without any cohesion.

Having Odegaard sit off as he did limited his final third pressing approach, that which is among the highest in the entire division for midfielders. His tenacity and intelligence in those areas, leading the charge and guiding his teammates, was lost.

What else Arsenal miss when Odegaard is deeper is the link-up play between him and Saka. That blossoming relationship out on the right has been one of the highlights of the previously impressive run of Premier League form. Those distances widened and the creativity in possession he has, as well as the authority off it, dissipated.

Pulling players out of the roles they’ve adopted and relished in was the hallmark of this performance, and with such an influential figure like Odegaard, especially given the failed attempts to have him deeper previously, it damages the team immeasurably.

How Arteta resolves this will only be known one hour before kick-off on Saturday. Those who draw a lot from the training videos might be concerned to see Xhaka still lining up at left-back in training games.

Pulling your most creative player and accomplished presser out of the areas he can dominate is a mistake that can’t happen again, however.